February 03, 2012

Angola Mission Immersion 5 ~ Angola 1 – Arrival

Far from home…

Whether traveling by car or plane, there is no experience quite like arriving at a new and unfamiliar destination. Arriving at a new place within the United States provides a certain sense of comfort and familiarity because, for the most part, we know what to expect. Arriving in a foreign land can sometimes be a very different experience. While most airports across the globe are similar in that there are planes, buildings, a tower, runways, a place to check in, a security checkpoint, and a place to (hopefully) receive your luggage, each airport experience is unique in its own way. What enjoy about arriving in a new land is that, as soon as the door opens, the culture pours over your five senses like fresh rain. Leaving the airport in Germany and arriving at the airport in Luanda, Africa provided a unique shock to my senses that was both expected and something that I eagerly anticipated. From the moment we touched down, the process of cultural assimilation was initiated as I peered out the window to see the structures that lined the runway… structures unlike any other any I had ever seen before. As the plane parked, and we made our way to the door of the plane, we were greeted by the rush of warm humid air… within minutes we were rushed off by bus to the receiving area where we stood in line to have our passports processed.

Waiting in line anywhere is intriguing to me, but there is nothing quite like standing in a line like this in a foreign land. Our thirty minute wait afforded us time to wake up, open ourselves to imagine the life-stories and in-country intentions of the people around us, and to begin the process of imagining what our own journey would be like. After clearing the passport/visa station, getting cleared for yellow fever immunizations, and gathering our bags (everything made it) we made our way through customs… at least Jeremy and I did… Kristen got green-lighted to bypass the x-ray screening and was free to go. Moments after we arrived in the greeting area we were welcomed by one of our hosts, Rev. Andre Cassule, escorted to his sedan, and creatively began the process of stuffing ourselves and ten pieces of luggage into the car for the 6 hour ride to Malanje. Game On!!